Fighting child abuse: You can make a difference

Blond 8 year old boy in tears, hands over eyes (Photos courtesy of thinkstock.com)

Too often, the children's stories make the headlines when it's too late to help. Those guilty of abuse or neglect are already being sentenced for their crimes.

In our own county, the mounting roster of tragedies includes the death of a child left unattended to suffocate in a laundry basket and the heartbreaking birth-to-death ordeal of beatings, torture and sexual assault of baby Brianna Lopez by her father, mother and uncle that ended in her 2002 death at the age of 5 months. Her case led to changes in New Mexico law and stiffer penalties for both child abusers and those who know of abuse and fail to report it.

But abuse continues.

In December, a Las Cruces woman pleaded guilty to felony child abuse after leaving her developmentally disabled 8-year-old niece at home alone in a wooden cage while she, her three children and boyfriend went out for a "movie night."

A Las Cruces woman pleaded "no contest" to a charge that she beat her then-13-year-old son with a horsewhip, leaving welts on her son's buttocks, backs and legs, "because he was unable to clean a bathroom in five minutes," according to court documents.

An Anthony, N.M., woman admitted that she beat her five-year-old daughter, Angel, who died from the severe injuries inflicted by her mother.

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The only witnesses were Angel's two siblings, a disabled 9-year-old who is blind and deaf and a 2-year-old who told Doña Ana County Sheriff's investigators that her mother hit Angel with a stick until she "fell asleep."

The mother of the murdered child was herself abused, her attorney said, testifying that the woman's own mother, then involved with drug traffickers, "gave" her then-teenaged daughter to an older man to pay a debt.

In November 2013, Angel's mother was sentenced for intentional child abuse resulting in death, evidence tampering and other charges. Angel's siblings were put in therapy and eventually adopted.

The price of abuse

Child abuse and domestic violence are linked together in a cycle of violence that can persist for generations, officials say.
"In 20 percent of cases where a child was present in an incidence of domestic violence, the child is also abused or harmed in some way," said Amy Johnson Bassford, assistant director of La Casa, Inc., a center for victims of domestic abuse and their families.

And the scars are emotional, as well as physical, she said.

"It's pretty common for children to feel that somehow they caused it, that they are partially to blame for what happens. And there are issues that kids deal with, feelings of extreme terror and helplessness. If they witness domestic violence, they have a higher incidence of becoming abusers themselves as adults," Bassford said.

As teens, she said, children who have witnessed domestic violence have a higher incidence of gang involvement, drug and alcohol abuse and acting out sexually.

New Mexico ranks among the nation's six worst states for child abuse deaths, with more than three per 100,000 children, according to a recent Associated Press story by Susan Montoya Bryan. The New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department receives between 32,000 and 34,000 reports of child abuse each year and about half of those end up being screened for investigation, it said.

Data from Kids Count Data Center, a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, reported that in New Mexico in 2011, 12 out of every 1,000 children were victims of abuse.

Prevention of abuse

A major goal of Child Protective Services, an arm of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, is to offer help and support for children and families before incidents of abuse and neglect occur.

"The message we want to get out is to get involved with families before legal action becomes mandatory. We'd like to link them to sources of help and support through parent counseling, domestic violence counseling and other services," said Jolene Martinez, who has served for seven years with the Las Cruces office of Child Protective Services.

"There is still a big stigma associated with any accusation of abuse or domestic violence and people are still reluctant to report it or seek help themselves. These issues cross all lines. We see everyone from people who are homeless to families in Sonoma Ranch," she said, noting that core causes often relate to substance abuse, depression, low stress tolerance, or overwhelming emotional, familial or financial issues.

Support or respite care could help prevent incidents of child abuse or neglect before it happens, she said.

"There are several resources in the area that help with parenting skills and early intervention, like Aprendamos, Meca Therapies, Amistad, and Tresco Tots, or you can contact or walk in and see our staff or go to law enforcement and ask for help and referrals," said Martinez.

Identifying abuse

You can help by learning signs of abuse and how to report it.

Don't hesitate if you see any indication of child abuse: err on the side of caution and report it, officials urge. You could save a child's life.

The most challenging group to identify, Martinez said, are children from birth to about age 3, who have limited mobility.

"They can't talk, or their verbal skills aren't developed and they don't have the language to tell us how they are being harmed. We have to rely on people who come in contact with the child," she said.

She noted that there are several indicators of abuse, all of which could warrant reports for possible investigation.

Substance abuse or domestic violence issues in the home are common in abuse and neglect cases.

There are often marks and bruises on a child and patterns of injuries or medical issues that seem consistent with problems of abuse and neglect. A child, sometimes under threats and coaching from abusers, may tell stories about how he or she was injured that don't seem consistent.

Talking with or observing the child's behavior can reveal further clues. An abused or neglected child may be fearful of being at home or being left alone or abandoned.

Reporting abuse

Reporting is your duty — and the law in New Mexico.

Under Brianna's Law, named after the Brianna Lopez case, anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect is required to report it, and if they don't, are subject to penalties that range from misdemeanor to felony charges, Martinez said.

"And in the state of New Mexico, there are also mandated reporting laws for several categories of people who work with children, including teachers, social workers, therapists, nurses, doctors, and any medical personnel," Martinez said. "There are also a lot of professionals and groups in our community who are knowledgeable, and we encourage people to seek out training. We are always willing to reach out to them with training about signs and symptoms of abuse and how to make their reports."

More ways to help

With the help of counseling and perhaps placement in a loving foster or adoptive home, children who have been abused and neglected can have a brighter future and break free from a multigenerational cycle of violence.

"The need for foster parents and adoptive parents is absolutely crucial. Right now, we have about 80 children in Doña Ana County waiting for homes. We now have 76 licensed foster homes and 154 children in foster care," said Martinez, who feels there are many misconceptions about the foster care system and who may quality as caregivers.

"We need people who can help in emergency situations, as well as doing long-term care and respite and weekend support care. We need, train and license all varieties of foster care providers now: unmarried couples, same-sex families, mother and daughter combinations. What we really need are people with enough space who can provide a safe, stable home. We provide training for prospective foster parents," Martinez said.

Henry Varela, CYFD director of communications, stressed that foster care can lead to a more permanent home for many kids.

"The CYFD always needs more foster parents. We never know how many will come into our care," he said. "Always, the biggest source of adoptions is our foster parents. There's a continual need."

He said the foster parent licensing process typically takes from four to six months and involves home studies and background checks.

"We're looking for people who are financially stable with a home or dwelling safe for a child, for those who can provide a safe, loving family," Varela said.

S. Derrickson Moore may be reached at 575-541-5450. Sun-News reporter James Staley contributed to this story.

Signs of child abuse

• Substance abuse or domestic violence issues in the home.

• Marks and bruises on a child

• Child reports being fearful of being at home.

• Child reports being left alone or abandoned.

• Child tells stories about how he or she was injured that don't seem consistent.

• Pattern of injuries/medical issues that seems consistent with problems of abuse and neglect.

How to report child abuse

• Visit CYFD offices at 760 N. Motel Blvd,, Suite A.

• Call toll-free at 1-855-333-7233.

• Enter #SAFE (7233) from cellphone.

• Call any local law enforcement agency.

• You may remain anonymous.

Provide a home for a child

For information on adoption or foster care, visit CYFD offices, online at cyfd.org, or contact Angelina Silva at 575-386-9528.